We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers: Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.
$25 Amazon.com Gift Card Get yours when you book a hotel on TripAdvisor and review your stay!

Grand Traverse Distillery

4.5 of 5 stars 143 Reviews
#14 of 107 things to do in Traverse City
Certificate of Excellence
Distilleries, Food & Drink
Sponsored by:
Map
Satellite
Map updates are paused. Zoom in to see updated info.
Reset zoom
Sponsored by:
Get directions
Address: 781 Industrial Cir, Suite 5, Traverse City, MI 49686-8942
Phone Number: +1 231-947-8635
Website
Improve this listing
Today
11:00 am - 5:30 pm
Closed now
See all hours
Hours:
Sun 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Mon - Sat 11:00 am - 5:30 pm
Recommended length of visit: <1 hour
Description:

Grand Traverse Distillery is Michigan's oldest craft distillery and we are...

Grand Traverse Distillery is Michigan's oldest craft distillery and we are family owned. We use 100% locally grown corn, wheat and rye to distill our award winning spirits which include the True North Vodkas [Rye, Wheat, Cherry, Chocolate & soon Chipotle], Gin, Rum and our Whiskies [Ole George 100% Rye, Bourbon, as well as many small batch specialty ones]. We offer 100 Proof Michigan White Dog Whiskey that is sold with mini barrels so a customer can come in make a purchase and age the whiskey at home in their own barrel. We have 5 Tasting Rooms located throughout the state in Traverse City, Frankenmuth, Leland and Grand Rapids so you can stop by and have the Grand Traverse Distillery experience and enjoy tastings and cocktails. We also have joint Tasting Rooms with Black Star Farms Winery where you will find both of our products and be able to taste and have a cocktail. Our Main Distillery Tasting Room is open Monday through Saturday 11-a.m. to 5:30-p.m and is closed Sundays. We offer tours 6 days a week at 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm from May 1 through August 31. October 1 through April 30 tours are offered only on Fridays and Saturdays. Cheers, Kent Rabish!

read more

TripAdvisor Reviewer Highlights

Read all 143 reviews
Visitor rating
  • 92
    Excellent
  • 39
    Very good
  • 8
    Average
  • 1
    Poor
  • 3
    Terrible
“Good tour! Great product!”

Katie and Landis were very friendly and informative! It's worth checking this distillery out if you enjoy spirits. Even if you don't it's an interesting stop.

5 of 5 starsReviewed 2 days ago
Leafangel
via mobile
Add Photo Write a Review

143 Reviews from our TripAdvisor Community

Which Traverse City hotels are on sale?
mm/dd/yyyy mm/dd/yyyy
See hotels
Sponsored links *
Traveler rating
Traveler type
Time of year
Language
Showing 143: English reviews
Level Contributor
13 reviews
common_n_attraction_reviews_1bd8 5 helpful votes
“Good tour! Great product!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 days ago NEW via mobile

Katie and Landis were very friendly and informative! It's worth checking this distillery out if you enjoy spirits. Even if you don't it's an interesting stop.

Helpful?
Thank Leafangel
Greensboro, North Carolina
Level Contributor
86 reviews
31 attraction reviews
common_n_attraction_reviews_1bd8 34 helpful votes
“Outstanding whiskey, great tour!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

We started at the tasting room in downtown Traverse City and were amazed at the quality of the whiskey and the friendly pourer. We then headed over to the distillery itself. We started with more tasting and then headed into a tour. Melissa our tour guide was excellent with plenty of knowledge and patience to answer all of questions. She... More 

Helpful?
Thank Itinerant_Foodies
Kent R, Owner at Grand Traverse Distillery, responded to this review

Hello Glad you took time to come to the distillery and tour the facility. Thanks for making the trip over from downtown and taking time to give a nice shout out to Melissa. She does a great tour and enjoys showing off the distillery. I'm a title like you in that flavored whiskey is a bit of a taboo but... More 

Dayton, Ohio
Level Contributor
44 reviews
5 attraction reviews
common_n_attraction_reviews_1bd8 6 helpful votes
“Distillery Tour”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 weeks ago

Friends Wedding Day! We were going to do some outdoor sightseeing, but it rained, bot did it rain. So else better to do but take a distillery tour. Grand Traverse Distillery was the first distillery licensed in Michigan, they distill Rye Whiskey Bourbon, Vodka, and Rum. Tastings are available as well as a tour of the facilities and a great... More 

Helpful?
Thank Gregory K
Kent R, Owner at Grand Traverse Distillery, responded to this review

Hello Greg Thanks for coming in to visit us and taking time to write your review! Rain does happen in Northern Michigan but I am glad you found us and something fun to do on a rainy day. We love to show off the distillery, please come back again. I am sure we will have new spirits to try and... More 

Level Contributor
46 reviews
6 attraction reviews
common_n_attraction_reviews_1bd8 8 helpful votes
“Whiskey, Vodka tasting”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 weeks ago

We stopped in while window shopping in TC. They were making Bloody Mary drinks that looked wonderful! They have a special spicy mix that they use for these drinks and it is highly recommended if you like a good spicy Bloody Mary. This was a fun stop.

Helpful?
Thank Amber T
Kent R, Owner at Grand Traverse Distillery, responded to this review

Hello Amber Happy to see your review, thanks! We do make a great bloody mary using our new chipotle infused vodka. Glad you were able to come in and try one. Come back soon! Cheers Kent More 

Stanwood, Michigan
Level Contributor
4 reviews
“Tour ”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 weeks ago via mobile

Enjoyed a visit with the man who was at the tasting room. Particularly in regard to an allergy to barley malt. We were concerned about The owner took us for the tour. He was a great guide. Particularly in regard to the chemistry of spirits. Enthusiast

Helpful?
Thank clsue
torchlake99, Owner at Grand Traverse Distillery, responded to this review

Hello Glad you came in and asked about the malted barley, great question! I hope the tour helped you get the information you were looking for. Because spirits are distilled they are very different in terms of allergies than beer and wine. Come back again! Cheers Kent More 

1 review
“Fun as hell”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 weeks ago via mobile

The owner, Kent, showed us around the distillery and explained the entire process to us. He went into great detail and answered all the questions we had. The tasting was great too and their products are amazing. Would go back 10/10

Helpful?
Thank Keith B
Kent R, Owner at Grand Traverse Distillery, responded to this review

Hello Keith I enjoy showing off the distillery and I also try to educate customers on spirits production. The more people understand about how spirits are made the better. Many "distilleries" do not make the product they are selling. Understanding what should be going on in a production room will help you determine if a company is a real distillery... More 

Lower Michigan
Level Contributor
532 reviews
124 attraction reviews
common_n_attraction_reviews_1bd8 235 helpful votes
“Thought it was going to be more than a simple tasting.”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 weeks ago

We did discover we like their gin after a tasting, but it was not as interesting of a place as I'd hoped for. Not a tour or anything, just a tasting and you have to pay for it. It was good gin though.

Helpful?
Thank MissMyDog
Kent R, Owner at Grand Traverse Distillery, responded to this review

Hello Thanks for taking time to come in and review GTD. We do tastings at all our locations but just the Industrial Circle production facility does tours Glad to hear you enjoyed the gin. Have one more style In the works.... Cheers Kent More 

Trenton, Michigan
Level Contributor
66 reviews
4 attraction reviews
common_n_attraction_reviews_1bd8 13 helpful votes
“Excellent Bourbon”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 weeks ago via mobile

As someone who enjoys a good bourbon, I've visited both the distillery on Industrial and the tasting room downtown. Their staff know the product and they pour a good glass. Try the cherry infused bourbon, just a hint of cherry without the overly sweet taste you get with some cherry offerings. Highly recommend.

Helpful?
Thank TraverseCityDiner
Kent R, Owner at Grand Traverse Distillery, responded to this review

Hello Thanks for the kind review on our cherry whiskey. We use a local tart cherry from the Leelanaw Fruit Company in Suttons Bay. Not sweet but more tart, all local Come back soon! Cheers Kent More 

2 reviews
“Tasting”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed August 12, 2016 via mobile

They spend a lot of time with you so you can appreciate their craft! To top it off their product taste wonderful! The facility is a bit hard to find but shows up on google maps so stick with the hunt because they are worth the effort.

Helpful?
Thank Jodi N
torchlake99, Owner at Grand Traverse Distillery, responded to this review

Hi Jodi I'm glad you enjoyed your visit to the distillery and were able to find us! We enjoy customers coming in for a tasting, come back again. We come out with new spirits so you many find another favorite. Cheers Kent More 

Level Contributor
23 reviews
12 attraction reviews
common_n_attraction_reviews_1bd8 4 helpful votes
“Excellent bourbon and rye”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed June 28, 2016 via mobile

The drive is worth it. The bartender/server? was as patient with my many questions as he was knowledgeable about the products. The place looks brand new and clean. We missed the tour🙁 but I tried 5 different bottles. One tasted like scotch, not my drink at all. The other four were ryes and bourbons. All were good. My favorite was... More 

Helpful?
Thank nswamp
Kent R, Owner at Grand Traverse Distillery, responded to this review

Hello Thanks for finding us and I'm glad the drive was worth it for you! Our peated malted barley and rye I'll bet was the one that did not hit your flavor profile. It is a lot of flavor and is very different from bourbons or rye whiskey. Happy you found a whiskey that hits your pallet and you enjoyed.... More 

Travelers who viewed Grand Traverse Distillery also viewed

Front Street
Front Street
4.5 of 5 stars 596 Reviews
Traverse City, Grand Traverse County
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
4.5 of 5 stars 530 Reviews
Traverse City, Grand Traverse County
 
Mission Point Lighthouse
Mission Point Lighthouse
4.5 of 5 stars 428 Reviews
Traverse City, Grand Traverse County
Right Brain Brewery
Right Brain Brewery
4.5 of 5 stars 138 Reviews
Traverse City, Grand Traverse County
 
All things to do in Traverse City (162)

Been to Grand Traverse Distillery? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos & Videos

Is This Your TripAdvisor Listing?

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

Claim Your Listing

Questions & Answers

Here's what previous visitors have asked, with answers from representatives of Grand Traverse Distillery and other visitors
1 question
Ask a question

See all questions (1)

Questions? Get answers from Grand Traverse Distillery staff and past visitors.
Posting guidelines
Typical questions asked:
  • Will you pick up and drop off at my hotel?
  • I have a family of 7. Can your tour accommodate all of us together?
  • How should I dress for this tour?